Sermons

In the name ofthe Father and ofthe Son and ofthe Holy Spirit. Amen.If you’re hoping fora definitive, rational,post-Enlightenmentunderstanding of the Trinitytry again next year.Maybe I’ll read Katherine Sonderegger’s bookSystematic Theology, Volume 2:The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity:Processions and Personson my sabbatical.You’ve probably heard, rightly,that this is the only liturgical observanceof a doctrine —not a person

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place.Among the older traditions of Christianity, the feast of Pentecost is, in part, the celebration of the founding of the Church. Before that night, 50 days from Passover and the last supper, the holy catholic and apostolic Church did not exist.

Jesus prayed for his disciples.Situated toward the endof Jesus’ lengthy farewell speechJesus prayed for his disciples.He’s been at table with them.He’s washed their feet.Jesus knows he’s going to die,and they don’t quite believe it yet.He’s admonished themto abide in him,to stay in his love,the love the Father has given him.Jesus prayed for his disciples. Knowing

We pick up this week,where we left off last week.That’s not what always happenswhen we use the lectionary.Last week we heard Jesus tell the disciples“I am the vine;you are the branches.If you remain in me and I in you,you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing.”Jesus concluded,“This is to my Father’s glory,that

Alleluia! Christ is risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! “Whoever does not abide in meis thrown away like a branch and withers;such branches are gathered,thrown into the fire,and burned…”is not,despite what 19th and 20th CenturyAmerican evangelicals might have us thinkthe point of this passage.Jesus is at table with his friendswhen we drop in to John’s gospel

Alleluia! Christ is risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! “And this is his commandment,that we should believein the name of his Son Jesus Christand love one another,just as he has commanded us.All who obey his commandmentsabide in him,and he abides in them.And by this we knowthat he abides in us,by the Spirit that he has given

(It’s on page 2 of your bulletin)Alleluia! Christ is risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! On Tuesday as Brandon and I watchedlast Sunday’s episode of Last Week Tonightwith John OliverI was remindedof my favorite quote from NT Wright’sSurprised by Hope.Oliver spends half an hourtalking about where the chemicalsfor lethal injections by the federal governmentand some statescome

In the folk opera HadestownHermes —both the narrator and a character —introduces us,the audience,to Hades, Persephone, Eurydice, and Orpheus.He warns us that thissung-through show is an old song,and it’s a sad song.But!He lets us know,it’s a love song.As we’ve walked this triduum,Maundy Thursday, Good Friday,and Easter —starting with last night —we’ve reflected on God’s love